Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
04:48
A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate
Published on: July 10, 2018
[Ketamine as an NMDA receptor antagonist]
Tetsuya Kushikata1, Kazuyoshi Hirota
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Hirosaki University Hospital, Hirosaki 036-8563.
Masui. the Japanese Journal of Anesthesiology
|February 26, 2013
Summary
Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, is being revisited for its potential antidepressant and neuroprotective effects, offering new hope beyond its anesthetic uses. This research explores its mechanism of action via the NMDA receptor.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Context:
- Ketamine has been used in human anesthesia for over 40 years.
- Its unique sympathomimetic and psychomimetic effects have limited its widespread anesthetic use.
- Recent interest has emerged due to ketamine's potential therapeutic applications.
Purpose:
- To describe the basic function of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor.
- To elucidate the mechanism of ketamine's action as an NMDA receptor antagonist.
- To explore ketamine's potential as a neuroprotective and antidepressant agent.
Summary:
- Ketamine functions as an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor.
- This antagonism underlies ketamine's ability to reduce hyperalgesia associated with opiate tolerance.
- Emerging evidence suggests ketamine possesses neuroprotective and antidepressant properties.
Impact:
- Provides insight into the pharmacological actions of ketamine.
- Highlights the therapeutic potential of NMDA receptor antagonism.
- Informs future research directions for novel antidepressant and neuroprotective therapies.
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